Statement on leaked Labour Party manifesto

“This is a bizarre and unjustified attack on betting shops from the Labour Party whose members are among the millions who enjoy their leisure time at their local bookies.

“Labour has fallen for the spin of our commercial rivals who have a vested interest in destroying Britain’s High Street betting shops.

“There is no evidence to show cutting stakes on gaming machines will help tackle problem gambling.

“Independent research already shows that people lose more money more quickly on an arcade gaming machine than in any other gambling venue at current staking levels.

“This flawed policy would destroy over 20,000 jobs, close thousands of betting shops, cost millions of pounds in lost taxes for the Government and end a popular activity for millions of people – all without helping a single problem gambler.

“Horseracing would lose £290million over the next three years and greyhounds would also lose millions of pounds a year in income.

“Cutting stake levels on machines in betting shops would leave venues like arcades and casinos free to operate their 140,000 gaming machines completely unrestricted, with much quicker spin speeds and higher staking levels.

“Labour needs to think again and ditch this damaging policy which has been promoted and paid for by our commercial competitors in the arcades and casino industries.”